OBIT: Annie Cecilia (HART) BOLDEN, 1947, of interest in Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.
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ANNIE CECILIA BOLDEN

  Mrs. Annie Cecilia Bolden passed quietly away Saturday afternoon, May 17, at 
her home on North Street at the age of 79 years, 7 1/2 months.
  Mrs. Bolden, the head of the Bolden Plumbing Company since the death of her 
husband, Charles A. Bolden, on June 20, 1924, succumbed to a chronic heart 
ailment, when nearing complete recovery from a broken hip, the result of a fall 
in her home last January 5.  After three months spent in a hospital in 
Pittsburgh, she returned in April to her home where she was slowly but steadily 
regaining the use of her leg.  It was a great shock to her family and friends 
when she expired suddenly Saturday afternoon while sitting in her chair.
  Mrs. Bolden was born in Oakland, Md., the daughter of Owen and Ellen (Kerns) 
Hart.  Owen Hart was the first mayor of Oakland.  She was a talented musician 
and as a young girl played the organ and sang in the Oakland Catholic Church.  
On one occasion when John Philip Sousa and his band played at Mountain Lake Park, 
near Oakland, Annie Cecilia Hart had the privilege of singing for the 
distinguished band leader.
  Some of Mrs. Bolden's most interesting and cherished recollections were of her 
opportunities of musical education in the summer concerts at Mt. Lake Park when 
it was a famous summer resort visited by the President of the United States and 
other national celebrities.
  On April 29, 1890, she was united in marriage to Charles A. Bolden, by Father 
Mattingly, Oakland, and came to live in Meyersdale where Mr. Bolden, after 
working for the Shipley Hardware Co. for some time, set up a plumbing shop of 
his own.
  Through many years of a busy life as the mother of ten children Mrs. Bolden 
was organist or sang in the choir of SS. Philip and James Catholic Church.
  Mrs. Bolden was known for her great kindness to everyone.  She took a great 
interest in the civic affairs of Meyersdale and its people, and had many friends 
both young and old.  A loving and beloved mother and grandmother she continued 
until her death as the central figure of a large and devoted family group.
  She was the mother of three sons and seven daughters.  Her oldest son, John 
Albert, passed away July 5, 1946.  He and the second son Edgar E. who survives, 
followed their father in the plumbing trade and carried on the work of the 
Bolden Plumbing Co., under the direction of Mrs. Bolden, after the death of 
their father.  The youngest son, Frederick, has looked after the office business 
since Mrs. Bolden became incapacitated due to her accident.
  The daughters are: Mrs. Walter (Helen) Gress, Mrs. Marcella B. Stotler, Mrs. 
Mary B. Weyer, Mrs. Daniel G. (Kathryn) Clapper, Mrs. Frank B. (Irene) Thomas, 
Mrs. Elam D. (Rita) Miller and Miss Anna Frances Bolden, who is a member of the 
Meyersdale High School faculty.
  She is also survived by 34 grandchildren, one of whom is Dr. C. W. Stotler, 
who attended her during her invalidism, and three great-grandchildren.  She also 
leaves one sister, Miss Mary B. Hart, who has been a devoted member of Mrs. 
Bolden's household for many years.  All of Mrs. Bolden's children and most of 
her grandchildren reside in Meyersdale.
  Funeral services were conducted in SS. Philip and James Catholic Church at 10 
o'clock Tuesday morning by Father T. J. Houghton, followed by interment in the 
Catholic cemetery in charge of J. F. Reich, mortician.  During the funeral hour 
all business places in Meyersdale were closed.

Meyersdale Republican, May 22, 1947